Commission, council to regulate food trucksCity Planner David Harris, along with Herschel Hargus and Mike Wilkins of the Russellville Planning Commission, will assist the City Council in preparing an ordinance to regulate food trucks. "I got a call from a City Council member that they were going to be working on an ordinance for [regulating food trucks] and wanted to know if the Planning Commission wanted to be involved in that discussion," Chair Dennis Boyd said during the commission'...

Hercules could land in RussellvilleMany Russellville and Pope County residents have heard or seen Lockheed C-130 Hercules airplanes as they fly through the skies of the Arkansas River Valley. Airport Manager Bobby Day told the Russellville Regional Airport Commission on Wednesday that recent runway tests indicated the airport could withstand the military transport aircraft taking off and landing here. Day explained due to renovations at Little Rock Air Force Base, the Air Force...

215 Years of ServiceFour members of the Russellville Kiwanis Club now have a combined 215 years of service to River Valley children. Pictured (left to right) are Bill McSpadden, 50 years; Bill Saxon, 50 years; Charlie New, 52 years; and Burt Mullins, with 63 years. The Russellville Kiwanis service club, dedicated to helping children in the River Valley and the world, celebrates its 63rd anniversary this year.

Chili for a community causeThe 22nd annual Chili for Children fundraiser will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Arkansas Tech University (ATU) Wesley Foundation to support the Age to Age program. The menu includes not only homemade chili but also cookies, brownies and traditional chili toppings. The come-and-go lunch also features takeout and delivery. Tickets are available at the event for $8. Age to Age Director Kristin Crouch said the organization ho...

Pottsville raises mayor's salaryPOTTSVILLE — The Pottsville City Council unanimously approved raising the mayor's annual salary to $25,000 during its regular meeting Monday after previously tabling the issue twice. Alderman Larry Shingleur initially suggested raising the salary during the council's March 27, 2014, meeting. "The mayor has been working full time for nearly four years and he's still the lowest-paid employee in the city," Shingleur said during that meeting. "If ...

Retiring commissioners honoredCommissioners Aldona Standridge and Jimmy Davenport were awarded plaques and recognized after they each served 18 years on the Russellville Planning Commission and 17 years on the Russellville Board of Adjustment. "We wish them well," Mayor Randy Horton said. "We congratulate both of them and thank both of them for their service." Standridge and Davenport were appointed to the planning commission on Jan. 1, 1997, and to the board of adjustment...

River Valley United Way announces fundingThe River Valley United Way announced its program funding for Fiscal Year 2015. The investment decisions were made following months of hard work by the dedicated volunteer members of its Community Investment Committee. River Valley United Way will invest more than $260,000 in programs that meet basic and emergency needs, as well as programs that offer people a step up in their quality of life. Funding begins in March. “This was a tough fundrai...

Bazzel strengthens ties in DardanelleDARDANELLE — Community, strength and roots ran deep at the Dardanelle Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet Monday at the community center. Guest speaker David Bazzel engaged community members in how to strengthen the city's bond. "Don't tell me why you can't do it; tell me how you are going to get it done," Bazzel said. "You are a key to making Arkansas what it is. What you can do every day is make Dardanelle be the best it can be." Although a Flo...

Sheriff's office promotes twoThe Pope County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday the promotions of two deputies. Jim Lean was promoted to patrol lieutenant, and Jamie Gray was promoted to patrol sergeant. Pope County Sheriff Shane Jones said he was proud of the pair. "It's an honor and a privilege to have Lt. Lean and Sgt. Gray be a part of the sheriff's department," he said. Lean has been with the department since 2002 and previously served as patrol sergeant. Gray joined...

Skelton urges stricter adherence to rulesThe Russellville Planning Commission voted 5-3 to allow a non-standard commercial building addition to an existing building on West Parkway after a lengthy discussion, leading Commissioner Doug Skelton to express a need for stricter adherence to guidelines. "This is outrageous," Skelton said during Monday's meeting. "We should have some say in the front facade of the buildings, and if they don't want to meet what the requirements are, then the...

City to review animal shelter bidsThe city will review bids for a new building at the Russellville Animal Shelter on Feb. 17. The 1,224-square-foot building will be connected to the current shelter and is expected to include 10 additional dog kennels, a cat area and a quarantine area. The project will also include improvements to the current facility, which opened in April 1996. There will be a mandatory pre-bid meeting at the site at 10 a.m. Feb. 4. Bids will be opened shortl...

City can spend funds, despite contract limboWhen you pay for your groceries, your gas, your appliances, your electronics, your clothes in Russellville, do you ever wonder where the city’s one-cent sales tax goes? When you look at all the construction and projects that will start or finish in the city of Russellville this year, do you wonder how portions of those projects are funded? The Courier sat down recently with Russellville Finance Director Jerry McKaughan to get some answers to b...

Brown leaves prosecuting attorney’s officeLiza Brown is leaving the prosecuting attorney’s office after serving more than eight years as a deputy prosecuting attorney. “I hope I made a difference,” she said. Brown graduated from Murray State University in Murray, Ky., with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2001 and went directly into law school. “As a small child, I always wanted to be an attorney,” she said. “It was a dream of mine.” She graduated from the University of Ark...

Brown appointed Atkins city clerk ATKINS — The City Council met in special session Thursday and voted 5-0 to replace City Clerk Barbara Gardner, who resigned Wednesday. Michelle Brown was appointed by the council to fill out Gardner’s two-year term. Barrett said a special election wasn’t necessary, according to the Arkansas Municipal League, because Gardner was sworn in and served since Jan. 1.

Cemetery encourages participation in repair projectThe Oakland Cemetery Commission has urged Russellville residents to take part in its monument repair project. The commission discussed the project during its meeting Tuesday at City Hall. Director Stephanie Warwick said relatives of those buried in the cemetery should make an effort to repair weathered or damaged monuments. "Oakland Cemetery is not the diamond in the tiara for the city of Russellville," Warwick said, "but it can be the emerald...

City Council wants public feedbackThe Russellville City Council approved items pertaining to Recreation and Parks, Animal Control and discussed ways the public could take ownership of its meetings Thursday at City Hall. City Attorney Trey Smith also told aldermen he is working on additions and revisions to the city’s contract with the Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development (AVAED). He said he wanted aldermen to analyze changes and come up with a final draft for the ...

County, city could save big on gasGas prices have fallen by nearly half in the past six months, and it's having an impact on the local economy. "Hopefully it will stay down low," Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson said. "If we can save that money, we can spend it on something else, such as road work and other projects." Gibson said the lower fuel costs affect several county departments such as the Pope County Sheriff's Office, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the senior citiz...

$71 million is investment in communityMembers of City Corp. and the Russellville City Council met Tuesday at City Hall to discuss a proposed $71 million needed to fund capital improvement projects over the next six years. City Corp. General Manager Steve Mallett and Dan Jackson of economist.com — a firm that studies utilities and comes up with water and sewer rate proposals to pay for capital improvements — showed how a rate increase of nearly $5 per month per average user would f...

Christensen's art displayed regionallyEvery home in the Arkansas River Valley will soon be able to view Astrid Christensen’s artwork. It’s on the cover of the newest phonebook. Christensen, a ninth-grader at Russellville Junior High School, won the annual Downey Publishing Art for Education contest to have her art displayed on the front of the area phonebook. Christensen, daughter of Eric and Laura Christensen, competed with students kindergarten through 12th grade from across the...

Local health prevention organization seeks supportThe River Valley Prevention Coalition (RVPC) is trying to increase support for community health. During its meeting Tuesday at the Pope County Health Unit, RVPC Co-chair Angie White said community involvement is an essential preventative factor for a number of health-related problems, including tobacco and alcohol use. “When we dwindle in numbers, we dwindle in opportunity,” White said. The coalition approved to donate $250 to the Out of the D...